Method of and apparatus for carbonating, cooling, storing, distributing and dispensin beverages



Dec. 22, 1964 w. R. KROMER 3,152,323

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING, COOLING,

STORING, DISTRIBUTING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Filed Oct. 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I (\I Mam/165E, KPOMEE n BY I W% @126 I A77'0EN Dec. 22, 1964 w. R. KROMER 3,162,323

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING, COOLING,

STORING, DISTRIBUTING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Filed Oct. 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 |lll|ll """I'I'I'I'I'" INVENTOR. WALL/165 P. K w/lm? BY MA /Kw ATTORN Dec. 22, 1964 w. R. KROMER 3,162,323 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING, COOLING,

STORING, DISTRIBUTING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Filed Oct. 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR h ALZA 05 E MwM-e United States Patent Ofitice 3,162,323 Patented Dec. 22, 1964 NIETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CARBGN- ATlNG, COOLING, STORING, DISTRIBUTING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES WallaceR. Kramer, 12700 Fairhill Road, Shaker Heights 20, Ohio Filed Oct. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 229,278 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-1) This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for carbonating, cooling, storing, distributing filed August 11, 1959, now Pat. No. 3,058,620, by Wallace R. Kromer, for Method of and Apparatus for Carbonating, Cooling, Storing, Distributing and Dispensing Beverages, of which this is a continuation-in-part.

Existing systems that provide mixed soft drinks or plain carbonated water used in retail stores, restaurants, or bars generally employ a common carbonator unit consisting of a pump, motor, relay, tank and supply lines to provide water to the pump through lines to the tank and carbon dioxide gas to the tank. Carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the carbonator tank under regulated pressures. Water, usually from the city water supply, is pumped into this tank filled with carbon dioxide gas with a spraying or squirting action so that a percentage of the carbon dioxide gas is absorbed in the water and provides carbonated water. Temperatures in the carbonator tank are maintained between 33 and 40 F. An electrode arrangement within the tank shuts off the pump through a relay when the water level reaches a predetermined upper level within the tank and starts the pump to repeat the cycle when water is drawn from the tank to a predetermined lower level. Cooling the water to 40 or lower before spraying it into the tank is sometimes employed and desirable as low temperature water has a greater afiinity for 'carbon dioxide gas. Some systems cool in the tank or at the point of dispensing on the theory that doing so will retain a reasonable carbon dioxide content in the water;

this method requires a high carbon dioxide gas pressure in the tank.

Existing systems provide this carbonated water to the dispensing faucet or faucets through lines running from the carbonator. The water lies inactive in the carbonator and in the lines until it is drawn from a faucet. We refer to this common method of carbonating as single stage carbonating.

One of the principal objects: of the present invention is to provide the retailer or purveyor of beverages with a compact dispensing system for water and other carbonated beverages that will produce highly carbonated water and softdrinks of uniform predetermined temperature; more specifically, to provide a method of and an apparatus for continuous and two-stage carbonation of water for use as or in a beverage. I

Another object. is to provide a method of and apparatus for cooling, carbonating and storing water in which the dispensing may be done at a pluralityof distributed. points while the cooling is accomplished at a single point or area so as to minimize complexity and cost of the cooling means.

A further object is to provide a system for supplying carbonated water for beverage purposes in which a relatively high degree of carbonation is achieved with relatively low carbon dioxide pressure. As a secondary objective related to therelatively low carbon dioxide operating pressure with which satisfactory results can be realized is the reduction in-expense of operating and maintaining the system as well as the low original cost, leaks and related troubles being minimized with the lower pressures that can be used.

A further object is to provide a system of the above type having only a single pump in the system for circulating the carbonated water and for drawing fresh water into the system.

A further object is to provide a system of the above type with a pressure-temperature relationship wherein slush ice may be dispensed from the dispensing faucets.

Other principal objects are to maintain low temperatures throughout a multiple station carbonated beverage distribution system, to maintain high carbon dioxide content in the water or beverage through constant refrigeration, and to supply such water or beverage throughout such a system to dispersed dispensing stations.

The present invention has, in addition to the objects set forth herein, the same objects and advantages as those set forth in the patent application referred to; they are hereby incorporated herein as though set forth at length; they are achieved and there are also achieved the objectives set forth herein, including the features relating to the two-stage and continuous carbonation and the single pump system, by providing a system which comprises in combination, this being a further and more specific object of the invention, a combined storing. and carbonating receptacle or tank adapted to contain water and, above the water an atmosphere of carbon dioxide under pressure, one or more dispensing faucets remote from the receptacle, conduit means connecting the receptacle to a water source and to the faucet or faucets with the receptacle and the faucet or faucets in a closed circuit comprising a feed path from the receptacle to the faucet or faucets and, separate from the feed path, a return path from the faucet or faucets to the receptacle; the contemplated system of the invention also includes in the combination pumping and controlling means forcing water in the circuit to flow continuously thereabout and automatically forcing water from the source into the circuit to replace that dispensed from the faucet or faucets from time to time and automatically maintaining the level of the water in the receptacle between predetermined limits; the system further includes in the combination means supplying carbon dioxide to water flowing in the circuit and maintaining therein and in the atmosphere within the receptacle a relatively high carbon dioxide pressure between predetermined limits; and the system includes means directing the flowing water and causing it to flow through the carbon dioxide atmosphere in a form having a high surface to cross section ratio so as to provide continuous and repetitious exposure of the circulating water to the carbon dioxide atmosphere for continuous carbonation.

Still further objects and advantages which pertain to certain useful and novel features of construction and combinations of parts advantageous in installation and operation of a system such as referred to will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part' of the specification. Like parts throughout the several views are indicated by the same 7 letters and numerals of reference.

ing-regulated through faucets. 1'7, a

. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary'perspective view of afdispensing station assembly as"employeduin'the apparatus of FIG. '1, this view being partly in phantom and enlarged with respect to that figure;

FIG. 4 is a verticalsectional view, partly diagrammatic,

with parts brokenaway and removed, through the re ceptacle or storage tank'of the system of FIG. 1, showing the attached-refrigerant lines'orf coils and theincoming carbonated water line or supply tube through. the circulating pump, this view being enlarged with respect to that fig FIG; through'4- in which an atmosphere of carbon dioxide is maintained in the storage. receptacle and it constitutes a carbonator, the circulating water and the'water introduced to replace thatdispensed being passed through such atmosphere, this view being enlarged with respect to FIG. 1, partly diagrammatic, partly in section andwith parts removed; v a

FIG. 6 shows another modification similar to that of 5 shows a modification ofthe system of FIGSQl FIG. Sin whichan evaporator coilfor refrigerant is 10- produce a lower temperature o fthat liquid, for greater 1 c'ated within the storage receptacle and is immersed in the water to provide direct contactwith the. water and to saturation of carbon dioxide, this "viewalso being enlarged with respect-to FIG." 1', partly diagrammatic, partly in section and with parts removed; I t

FIG. 7 shows still'another modification similar to'ithose' of FIGS, 5 and 6-in-which the conduit through which, water is supplied to" the systemandthe conduitthrough fwhichthe carbonated'wate'r.iscirculated externallyflof the v to-in connection with the system shown in FIG. 5) that make and break contact and start and stop the pump in repeating the mixing operationas the surface of the water 'inthe mixing tank of the carbonator is lowered and raised to the contact levels. 1 Thecarbonated water is forced by the pressure :within. the storage or mixing tank of the carbonator -B through line 10 into a cooling coil 11 "the system in gallons of cooled beverage per hour. The temperature of the carbonated water is thus reduced to that empties into the storage tank D.

The refrigerant coil 12 serves a donble'v purpose. as, wrapped around the tank D, 'itf'holds the temperature of carbonated waterstored therein at a predetermined temperature, say between 34 and 4-0 degreesFahrenheit. The condensing unitEtispreferably water cooled so that its efiic'iency'is not impared if it is installed in a cabinet or under a'counter or in some similar-enclosed and restricted space, such-watertis supplied as fromthe T inlthe supply line 7. Waste water exiting from the condensing unit B through pipe or line 13, may be run to drain or can be piped to 'a s'ink under or associated with one of desired serving temperature before reaching the last coil the dispensingv stations H to provide warm, clean rinse water.

, The storagejtank D is -conhected to;one, preferably the near, end of. the conduit G through a tap am dip pipe storing and carbonatingreceptacle" each includesf'a heat 9 exchange portion adapted to 'be maintained in heat exchange relationtoa refrigerating'medium, this viewfalso' being"enlarged with respect to FIG. '1, Ipartly diagr'a1n matic, partly in section, and with parts removed;

FIG.'8Qshows further modifications of the systems of FIGS; 1 through 6 this view being enlarged with respect tov FIG} 1, "partly diagrammatic, partly in section and'with' parts removed; andj v M FIG. 9 is fanenlarged front elevationallview, partly in section, of the waterspray head shown in FI G. 8"a'nd' showing a modification thereof; In the illustrated system r61:

the combinations involved rather than with, the structural details ofithe individual parts and components,".A-:CO

storage tank A,. equipped withahighpressure regulator 1 and gauge, delivers CO gas'through a conduitor line 2 to low pressure re gulator and -gauge 3 where pressure is. regulated to supply, through a suitable branchedfco'nQ ductor or line. 4,; a blanket of. CO gas underregulated pressure on'flayored syrupsidtanks By this gas" pressure, the syrups are forced to How, through lines 5 which are wrapped tightlyto andextend substantially the full length of a refrigerated orfmain conduit G., Ts 6 are provided in the syrup conduits or lines ,at'dispensing stations H that the syrups are available as needed, be-

Providing, highly carb a ted aterforg the apparatns isv ment of the supply ofvwater to the carbonator B plished by making eletit'ricalicontaet roe operation of; the waterpump 8through' electrodes'tsuch aslaterreferred in oo i g and dispensing Qcarbonated non-alcoholic"beverages, the" components re; in general, represented diagrammatically for the reason that, 'exceptwhere structure'isspecifically described and illustrated, theinvention"is' concerned with '50 14 and a'header 16,;the carbonated water returning from the other. or tremoteend of the conduit G through a rei t urn conduit orj line .15; Thisreturn line-'15 may be run on the'outside of; and parallelto the supply line Gthrough use of a return bend :at the remote station -or, as shown, preferablyline 15 is run inside the conduit G, through an opening- 17A (FIG; '2) in the near header'16 and thence to a circulating pump F, the pump'connecting by -a.T 21 to the supply, line 10from-the carbonator B, thereby c'or'npletinga'closed circuit. Placement of the return line within the ,supply conduitflminimizesqthe surface areaof such line exposed for heat gain, no heat being absorbed on the return flow through the refrigerated water'within serve as containers] supplementing the storage container Din providingajreserve supply of refrigerated carbonated w .vgater.--" Y W i 5 ,Whfifl 1 the; faucet 17. is; opened. atgythe last'yo'r' remote station, any entrapped air will be driven from {the "conduit G and'the'returnline'1'5 and the conduit system will fill withr efrigerated. carbonated water. The circulating pump Rpower'ed-jby a motofr supplied with energy-from the electricfline v9; ism constant operation. Carbonated waterisdrawn fromlthe remote end of the'supply conduit G 'through the return conduit 15 and circulated through the cooling coil 1 1-;=jthereby ir'ern'ovingflany heat gain or of runeand the expected heat gainflthrough the Walls" of l fthejinsulated supplyiionduit. ;The-ra'te of ,flow'is convenlently adjustedas byi change'of iimpeller inthe pumpF x soxthatin operation jthe circulating water charged-with carbon dioxide v'ariesein temperature very'little," in some instances less than aboueonefdegree'from the'tank to the remote station "FIG; '5 ,illustratesdiagrammatically a modification 'of-- the system of FIG. 1, only suchparts beingshowm as are necessary to understanding of'the changes}. The modified apparatusprovi'des for'refri'geration of the makerup water before it fisf cornmingled with" the circulating water, for refrigeration of the water bein bred and circulated, for

the supply ;line. G.- Theronduit G. and the conduit-15' area-ass Parts which, in the system of FIG. 5 are the same as described above in connection with the preceding figures, are designated by the same letters and numerals of refer- I ence; parts which, in FIG. 5, correspond or are similar to parts previously described are designated by the same reference numerals and letters with the suffix a.

Refrigerant line 12a is wrapped around and secured to a combined storing, cooling and carbonating receptacle or tank Da. Water conduit or line a is also wrapped around the receptacle Da, the convolutions of the water conduit 10a being disposed in the valley of the refrigerant coil 12a. Water is supplied to the conduit 1011 through a conduit 7 from a suitable source such as a city water line, the water being forced into the system by a pump S a controlled similarly to the pump 8 of FIG. 1. The upper end of the water coil 10a is connected to a combination check valve and nozzle 23 in the top of the receptacle Da. Water forced through the coil portion of the conduit 10a and the nozzle device 23 is released and sprayed by the latter into the top or upper portion of the receptacle or tank Da and through an atmosphere of carbon dioxide gas maintained in the receptacle in the space above the level of the Water or liquid in the latter. The carbon dioxide gas is forced into the space above the water in the receptacle Dz; through a combination gas inlet and check valve 22 which is connected by tube or conduit 2a to a suitable source of CO gas under regulated pressure such as the tank A and the regulator 1 of FIG. 1. When the body of water rising in the receptacle Da reaches a predetermined level as sensed by a conventional control assembly 18 comprising contact breaker means and related electrodes, the control assembly operates a relay 19 and shuts off the electric power supply to the motor of the pump 8a, thereby halting the supply of make-up or fresh water to the system.

Externally of the carbonating receptacle or tank Da the water flows through a distributing circuit represented by conduit Ga and return pipe or line a and similar to that previously described, The carbonated water leaves the receptacle Da through a dip pipe 2d, which corresponds tothe tap rod or dip pipe 14 of FIGS. 1 and 4, circulation of the water through the external circuit and return to the receptacle or tank Da being effected by the continuously operated pump F. The returning water enters the bottom or lower end ofand goes through a cool- :ing'coil 11a that is within the refrigerant line 12a and is surrounded by refrigerant. From the upper end of the cooling coil 11a the returning water is conducted into 'thecarbon dioxide atmosphere within the receptacle Da,

' being sprayed through return inlet nozzle 21 mounted through and supported by the top of the tank Da. Thus the water, initially carbonated or charged with carbon dioxide gas in a first carbonating stage when sprayed into the carbon dioxide atmosphere through the combination check valve and nozzle 23, is again and repeatedly carbonated in a continuously functioning second stage when The refrigerant supplied to the coil or line 12a is so controlled that a temperature of approximately freezing I is maintained in the cooling coil lla carrying the circulating carbonated wa ter. Thusthe circulating water is conducted through the refrigerated or principal heat 'release 'portion 'of the cycle immediately before being sprayed into the carbonating atmosphere above the and each time it is sprayed into the carbon dioxide atr'nosphere of the tank Da through the return inlet 21.

system such as shown in FIG. 1, a ratio of between 4 and 5 volumes of carbon dioxide gas to 1 volume of water is obtained with a carbon dioxide gas pressure of from about to about pounds per square inch gauge. Using the two stage and continuous carbonating system of the present invention, the water will achieve a gas content of about 5 volumes to 1 volume of water with a carbon dioxide gas pressure of about 60 pounds per square inch gauge in the tank Da,

As carbonated water is drawn from the circulating or distributing system through the faucets 17, the water level in the receptacle or tank Da is lowered. However, operation of the pump F is not interrupted and circulation of the water in the conduit Ga continues since the outgoing dip tube 20 is below the lowest operating level of the water within the receptacle Da. As the water level is thus lowered by such release of the carbonated water from the system, it reaches the point at which one of the electrodes 29 in the control assembly 18 actuates the electrical control circuit in accordance with conventional practice to start the motor of the make-up water feed pump 8a so that fresh Water is first cooled, then forced into the tank Da and subjected to the first stage of carbonating. Beverage or water dispensed from the circulating system is thus replaced automatically, the pump being stopped when the water level reaches the control setting of the other of the electrodes 2?.

In FIG. 6 is illustrated diagrammatically another modification of the system of FIG. 1, only such parts being shown as are necessary to understanding of the changes. Parts which are the same as described previously are designated by the same letters and numerals of reference; parts which correspond or are similar to parts previously described are designated by the same reference numerals and letters with the suffix b. In this modified arrangement, a refrigerating medium is circulated through and evaporated in a coil 12!) immersed in the water contained in a carbonating and storing receptacle or tank Db which corresponds to the tanks D and Da previously described. The water circuit external to the receptacle Db is through a conduit vGb similar to the conduit G of FIG. v1. The immersed or enclosed coil 12b is conventional tubing such as used for beverages, of stainless steel'or material of like characteristics such that no chemical reaction with the carbonated water will result.

A thermostatic expansion valve 26 controls the supply of liquid refrigerant to the immersed evaporator coil 12b,

the refrigerant being a gas such as Freon supplied by a conventional compressor unit. From the valve 26 the refrigerant is conducted to the lower end of the refrigerant coil 12?) through a conduit 32. A bulb 25 is attached to return tube 33 from the coil 12b and is arranged to close the expansion valve 26 on cooling of the system, and open it on warming of the system. Ice builds up on the refrigerant coil 12!: immersed in the body of water contained in the carbonating and storing tank Db. When the build up results in the ice touching or making substantially direct heat exchange with a bulb well 28 in which'a thermostatic control bulb 27 is inserted, a conventional temperature control 24 is thereby actuated to shut off the refrigeration compressor. is thus arrested until the ice retreats, at which time the warm up of the bulb. 27 acts through the control 24 to start the refrigeration compressor and feed refrigerant into the coil 12b and repeat the cycle. i

Incoming make-up'waterfor the initial or first stage carbonation is sprayed into the receptacle or tank Db through the check valve and nozzle 23 after precooling through a coil 10b wrapped around the outside of and in direct heat exchanging contact with the lower part of the receptacle .Db containing refrigerated Water.

The cycling or circulating of refrigerated carbonated Water through the system is accomplished continuously Circulation of the refrigerant arrangement of FIGS. 7 5, 6, and 7. Refrigeran containing .a circulating refrigerant medium,

ffin the lowervportion of the combined'storing}.

*earsomtm receptacle "Dc whereby the product stor "the interioriof'the'receptacle is co oledto a predeter temperature as aforedeseribedr The'jc'oil 4 W fstructure'and iunctioirto the co'il 1gb of BIG: 6, .th'e on 'cuit with the second stage carbonation. occuirin'g continuously as thewater'is sprayed into the topof the tank through the nozzle. As in the system described in connection with FIG. 5, it is the relatively low temperature returningjwater that is continuously sprayed into the car- 7 bon dioxide atmosphere -maintained in the upper part of the combination storing and carbonating receptacle (Db in FIG; 6, Da in FIG. '5), thelow temperature of the ater being conducive to' its becoming, saturated with the carbon dioxide gas; such returning recarbonatedwater goes directly into the reserve supply .rnaintained auto.-

matically at a predetermined level and temperature in the 1' p I i I V apressurized carbon dioxide atmosphere in the space lower part of the receptacle Db. I a V The ice bank on ,therefrig'erating coil 12!) provides reserve cooling capacity for peak service periods. The

body of carbonated beverage'or Water'maintained on'reserve in the receptacleDb because'of its high carbon dioxide gas content and. the fact thatit is kept in continuous.

motion, can be safely reduced in temperatures close to the inlet and I outlet: lines 43' and 44 leading to associated I conventional refrigerant unit.

Fresh water is" su 'pliedunder pressurethrough the conduit orpipe line 47' from a suitable pressurized source of freshwater, such as a city water line. From thecondu'it.

47,th'e fwa ter flows through the check valve 50, through the conduit or pipeline 52 and thence into the distributing circuit represented bythe conduit or conduit means:Ge which contains the usual remote dispensing faucets 54, said conduit Ge including the feed path 56 and the return path 58,59. Carbon dioxide gas isforced into the space 7 above the liquid in the receptacle De through-a combination gasinlet-and check valve 62,which is connected by a tube'f64Qto a suitable source'of pressurized carbon dioxide gas under're'guIated pressure such'as the tank A andregulatorl of FIG; 1, such construction'providing above the liquid in the receptacle Den Thus, fresh water entering the system fromtheiconduit 52 flows through dioxide atmosphere containedthereiri to form carbonated freezing point of water atthe sanie pressure'without I freezing danger. The lower temperature thus' achieved in practice provides'a more palatabledrink, requires less ice in the serving glass and results invless dilution of the beverage. V

In FIG. 7 is illustrated diagrammatically another modification of the system of FIG. 1, only such parts being shown as-are necessary to understandingof the changes.

' In this modification'there is also provided first and second stage continuous carbonation similar to the arrangements of FIGSIS and 6. Like parts are indicated bythe'same reference numerals, correspondingor similar parts are 1 indicated by the same numerals with the suffix 52.: i

water, all as aforedescribed. Thus, in FIG. 8,"the water flows counterclockwise through the system. The spray head 68releases water into the carbon dioxide atmosphere in the receptacle ,De in anvnpward f 'and outwarddirection This is accomplished by the upwardly and outwardly ,directedorifices (FIG; 9) in the spray he'ad,or by the upwardly and outwardly directed nozzles 70 (FIG. 8) in such spray head. With this con- I struction, such upwa'rdly and outwardly sprayed :water is incoming make-up water or beverage supplied the city water line or conduit 7 and the pump Sa-ispassed through a coiled line or precoolingconduit 10c adapted to belocated -in a conventional refrigerated :space' such as af. water' b'athflorlicecube storage bin located in the purveyors existing-.facilities. From the precoo'ling coil- 10c- .to the bottomi Also; lessdilut-ion of the water'in storage iseifected; z Y I the make-up water is conduetedto' the combination nozzle the purpose of cooling the returning carbonated .Watento' bath or ice v cub'e storage bin of the purveyors existing achieving the desired result a u w' a V fes diagrammaticall further andsecondfstage continuous carbonation I V A modifiea 'tions of the system shown irrFI Gsl, onlyysuch'partsbeing --shown-as]are necessary to the} i'uriderstanding of Ythe changes.,, In this'rnodificatiom there i'sl-also provided'first w to the" and checkvalve 23 through a sin' table conduit erasable,

connector 30. Aprecooling coil 110, similar to the precooling coil10c, is connectedibet'ween thereturn end of.) I distributing conduit Gc andthe circulating pump F-for broken up in mist by" striking the top of the receptacleand @is sprayed longer and morethoroughly'through the'earbon dioxide atmosphere in theupperportion of the receptacle D,iafter'-whioh the sprayed, water .dropsdown over the {cooling coils142." Thusjgthe incoming water cooled quicker and becomes more completelyficarbonated than in prior structures; Also; the'sprayed water forms a mist,

layer on top of thewaterand graduallycoolsas it falls p The pump 6 op erates continuously circulates the water-in the line t-Ge ina counterclockwise direction, as

4 aforementioned, in;a manner similar to that previously described,. the carbonated water leaving the receptacle th'roughthe d p P P I s; Conduit and valve means nithe form of'the-pripe line 7,: 47, 52,;thewcheckivaive"50, the valve-'76, and a liquid level control or water' level sensingmeans -in theform of the assembly-72 and the liq'uid'level control relay 74 v are provided tolautomatically replenish fresh Waterto the circuit in a manner-now to be.described-.. .When the body of waterin therece'ptacle-D efalls to -a predetermined 7 lower level as. seri'sedby a conventional control assembly 72 "comprising ,the electrodesj73 and a related contact assembly operatesi 7 relay .7 which triggers the vvalve 76 to itsnormallyfopen f positio whereby the check y ly automatically breaker means, .thecontrol assembly' operatesor triggers a relay-1. .7 4 whichiytrig'g ersfisthe normally-open solenoid 'valve 76jto' aclosed position, thereby stopping-circulation .of carbo1 1 ated water and, also; lowering the pressure in 'thefreturln ine or path 5,9;-v l'Howe'ver, 'sincethe'pump 66 :is' operatingcontinuously, freshwater is then; drawn from Y I the line Q 47 throughthe check valve -(whijch opens 1 ibecause vofithe decrea sed pr essu re an. lin'eS-}. .2.fand"59),

through the .punip 66 andthence into the receptacle De .via'the sprayheadf68. when the waterlevel in" the re-: edeterminedf upper ,level, ,the,

ggers the liquid level -,O trol loses the line 52 only wh n wat rp s u i t has pp to a p eterm ned lower luehe Pheck valve 50 also functions to prevent the circulating water in the line Ge from entering the city water inlet line 47. Thus, only a single pump is required in the present system to draw fresh water into the system and to circulate the carbonated water through the line Ga to the remote fia cets 54. i

In the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 3 Whii ein the r rant coils are d spos d nt io ly f e Combined oo ng, st ng a d a ratins ecept he pressure of the carbon dioxide gas maintained in the receptacle should be at least six and preferably eight times atmospheric pressure. In prior structures, it was never considered feasible to lower the temperature in the receptacle below 33 degrees Fahrenheit as the entire system would freeze. However, with the present structure, temperatures well below 32 degrees Fahrenheit may be effected in the receptacle without forming ice therein. More specifically, the high carbon dioxide pressure (115 psi. to 125 p.s.i., for example) in the receptacle permits the carbonated water in the receptacle and in the distributing conduit to be maintained at temperatures well below 32 degrees .without freezing and without additional work from the refrigerator compressor. For example, at 80 psi, the refrigerant temperature is about 29 degrees without freezing; at 198 p.s.i., the refrigerant temperature is about 27 degrees without freezing; and at 125 p.s. i., the refrigerant temperature is about 25 degrees without freezing. Generally, in such range, every 10 psi. increase in pressure reduces the water temperature by one degree to one and one half degrees without forming ice. An important feature of this pressure-temperature relationship is the fact that when such pressurized (115 psi. to 125 psi), low temp t e re s to '27 de e s), c rbonated water s le s hrou h t faucets to normal atmospheric pressure, slush i-ce results, since 27 degree to 29 degree water cannot exist in tribute to better carbonation of the water.

The refrigerant coils may be disposed exteriorly of the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, or may be disposed interiorly of the receptacle, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the latter being preferred for more effective and efiicient temperature control of the stored water.

Temperature of the liquid in the receptacle is controlled by the thermostatic control bulb 82 in the bulb well 80 and by the temperature control 84. When the temperature of the carbonated water in the receptacle reaches the desired low temperature as selected, the thermostat control bulb 82v which is inserted in the bulb well 80 is actuated and, in turn, the conventional temperature control 84 is triggered to shut off the refrigerator compressor.

Circulation of the refrigerant is thus arrested, and subse-' quent warm up of the bulb 82 acts through the control 84 to start the refrigeration compressor and feed refrigerant into the coil 42 and repeat the cycle.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description, and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

"10 1. The method. of cooling, storing and dispensing car .bonated water which comprises:

maintaining a body .of carbonated water in direct heat exchange relation with a refrigerating medium and retaining such water at a temperature no higher than approximately 29 degrees Fahrenheit; withdrawing such water from the body continuously; circulating the withdrawn water over a closed path and in a continuous stream of relatively small cross sectional area pasta remote dispensingpoint; returning the circulated water to said body; intermittently releasing water from the stream at the dispensing point for consumption as desired; maintaining a confined atmosphere of pressurized carbon dioxide at a pressure at least pounds per square inch pressure in the path of the circulating water and passing the circulating water through and piclcing up carbon dioxide from such carbon dioxide atmosphere for augmentation of the carbon dioxide content of such circulating water; automatically adding water to said body to replace that released for consumption to maintain said body of water within predetermined volumetric limits; and automatically adding pressurized carbon dioxide to said atmosphere in replacement of that picked up by the circulating water to maintain the carbon dioxide atmosphere at a pressure at least 100 pounds per square inch, whereby slush ice is emitted from the remote dispensing point when the carbonated water is released to normal atmospheric pressure. 2. A beverage system for carbonating, refrigerating, storing and dispensing water comprising:

a storage receptacle containing water and an atmosphere of carbon dioxide above the water; I a dispensing faucet remote from the receptacle;

condnit means connecting the faucet and the receptacle and providing paths to and from the faucet in a closed pressurized circuit; continuously operating pump means connected in the conduit means for forcing water in one direction over the circuit;

a valve connected inthe conduit means rearwardly. of the pump means with respect to the direction of flow of water in the circuit;

water level sensing means disposed in the receptacle and connected to the valve for triggering the same to open and closed positions when the water level in the receptacle reaches predetermined upper and lower limits, respectively;

a source of pressurized fresh water;

a pipe line leading from the source and connected to the conduit means between the pump means and the valve;

and a check valve disposed in said pipe line'for effecting the flow of fresh water therethrough and thence to the conduit means when the water pressure in the conduit means falls to predetermined lower level.

3. A beverage system for carbonating, refrigerating,

storing and dispensing water comprising:

a storage receptacle containing water and an atmosphere of carbon dioxide above the water;

at least one dispensing faucet remote from the receptacle;

conduit mews connecting the receptacle to the faucet in a closed circuit including a feed path from the receptacle to the faucet and a separate retum path from the faucet to the receptacle;

continuously operating pump means forcing water in the circuit to flow continuously from the receptacle,

through the feed path, and thence through the return I path back to the receptacle; a valve disposed in the return path between the faucet and the pump means; water level sensing means contained inlthe receptacle and connected to the valve, said sensing means being "sensing'nieans includescontact V V electrodes disposed in the water in the receptacle; and a preset to trigge'nthe valve to' agclosed positioniwheu V the water level-in the'recepta'cle reaches a predeterr valvebeing preset to opensaid pipe line and admit V freshwater to-the return path and'thence to the receptacle when the pressure thereturn path falls V to a predetermined lower 'value through closure of the return path by the first-named valve, and to close said pipe line when pressure in the return path rises to a predetermined value through the opening of the return path by the firstenamed valve.

4; The structure: of claim '3 whereingsaidvalve is a normally-open solenoid valve. 1

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein the Water level breaker 'rneanshaving relay operably connected todthe'; contact breaker means and to the first-named valveforv triggering r-thesam'e.

6. A beverage system for carbonating, refrigerating,

storing and dispensing water comprising:

,a"storage receptacle 'containrng water and 'an- 'atmos1 phere of carbon dioxide above thewateryc a sourceof 'pressurized carbon dioxide} connected to the receptacle for supplying carbon dioxide to the interiorof the receptacle;

at least one dispensing faucet remote frorn'the recep- 4 taole; V a I conduit. means connectingthe receptacle to the faucet 35 in a'closed circuit including a feed path from the r "12' receptacle to the faucet 'a'ndfa separate from the faucet-to the receptacle; 1 V a continuously "operating pump disposed inll the return path for continuously forcing water-in one direction throu'gh the circuit from the receptacle, through'the-fee'd path, andthence through the return path back to thereceptacle; I refrigerating means in heat exchange relation to the circulatingwater; f E I a normally-open solenoid valve disposed in the return path betweenathe faucet and the pump and adapted "to open and closesuchreturn path; e r Vwater level sensing means contained inthe receptacle and connected 'to the normally open valve, said sensmeans being preset to triggerthe normally-open valve to a closed position when the water level in the receptacle reaches a predetermined lower level, and to trigger the normally-open valventoits normallyopen' position. when the water level reaches a predetermined upper level; a a source of pressurized fresh water; i t

a pipelinel'eading from said source and connected to y the return path between said "pump and said valve; and a checkvvalve" disposed in said pipe line, said check valve being preset to open said pipe line and admit fresh water to the return path when the water pressure in the return path falls to a predetermined lower value, and to close said pipe line when water pres- V 7 return path value.- c.

' Ifeferences-Citedin file of this p atent UNITED S A E *PATENTS' N Dec; '5; 1961 Oct. 16,1962

v a :s'ur mime returnpathrises-to apredetermined upper 

1. THE METHOD OF COOLING, STORING AND DISPENSING CARBNATED WATER WHICH COMPRISES: MAINTAINING A BODY OF CARBONATED WATER IN DIRECT HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION WITH A REFRIGERATING MEDIUM AND RETAINING SUCH WATER AT A TEMPERATURE NO HIGHER THAN APPROXIMATELY 29 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT; WITHDRAWING SUCH WATER FROM THE BODY CONTINUOUSLY; CIRCULATING THE WITHDRAWN WATER VER A CLOSED PATH AND IN A CONTINUOUS STREAM OF RELATIVELY SMALL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA PAST A REMOTE DISPENSING POINT; RETURNING THE CIRCULATED WATER TO SAID BODY; INTERMITTENTLY RELEASING WATER FROM THE STREAM AT THE DISPENSING POINT FOR CONSUJPTION AS DESIRED; MAINTAINING A CONFINED ATMOSPHERE OF PRESSURIZED CARBON DIOXIDE AT A PRESSURE AT LEAST 100 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH PRESSURE IN THE PATH OF THE CIRCULATING WATER AND PASSING THE CIRCULATING WATER THROUGH AND PICKING UP CARBON DIOXIDE FROM SUCH CARBON DIOXIDE ATMOSPHERE FOR AUGMENTATION OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE CONTENT OF SUCH CIRCULATING WATER; AUTOMATICALLY ADDING WATER TO SAID BODY TO REPLACE THAT RELEASED FOR CONSUMPTION TO MAINTAIN SAID BODY OF WATER WITHIN PREDETERMINED VOLUMETRIC LIMITS; AND AUTOMATICALLY ADDING PRESSURIZED CARBN DIOXIDE TO SAID ATMOSPHERE IN REPLACEMENT OF THA T PICKED UP BY THE CIRCULATING WATER TO MAINTAIN THE CARBON DIOXIDE ATMOSPHERE AT A PRESSURE AT LEAST 100 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH, WHEREBY SLUSH ICE IS EMITTED FROM THE REMOTE DISPENSING POINT WHEN THE CARBONATED WATER IS RELEASED TO NORMAL ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. 